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Forums10
Topics38,445
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Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 153 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 153 Likes: 1 |
So the real issue is not the metal that is absent from the sides of the receiver, but because there is metal absent from the sides of the receiver, that means there is less metal behind the breechblock (i.e. to handle the rearward thrust of the breechblock)?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,703 Likes: 406
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,703 Likes: 406 |
Indeed.. the paneled sides are safe at any speed. The unsupported breech block, not so much. How much, not so much - that is the debatable issue.
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/qclHjMQ.jpg)
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 153 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 153 Likes: 1 |
This thread has been helpful to me. First, it has been educational - which is always a plus. Second, the comments from those that have been less than enthralled with the .38-56 chambering helps assuage my pangs over not ending up with this rifle. The pangs are still there, but not as bad.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 422 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 422 Likes: 1 |
I have an original antique Low Wall that we discussed here some time ago. Started as a .32 rimfire, a rusty junker. A guy I worked with bought it, put in a CF block and re-barreled it to .32-40. He fired what he said were a few Winchester "John Wayne" cartridges. Another friend thought they were handloads, but overloaded with 4227. In any event, the action failed, cracking on both sides at the rear of the breech block slot. The guy sold it to person #2 as junk.
Person #2 had the action repaired by some expert welding, quite a good job. The action was completely refinished in french grey and was engraved by Ken Hurst. That completely hides the welds. Person #2 then put a Green Mountain .25-20 WCF barrel on the action, rust blued the barrel and other parts, fitted good sights. #2 is an excellent woodworker. He made a stock of light colored walnut with a beautiful figure. The rifle is a thing of beauty.
But the rifle was terribly inaccurate, simply would not shoot well. #2 consigned it to a shop, but with a folder attached showing photos of the rebuilding, including before & after pics of the cracked & welded action.
I purchased the rifle, even though I knew all the details. On inspection, the barrel was a reject, should have never left the shop. About 6 inches of tool chatter marks in one groove.
I had made arrangements with Joe Harr to convert the action to rimfire and put a .22 LR liner in the barrel. We were going to trade breech blocks. The rifle was ready to ship when Joe died.
It went back into the safe. Now I'm 80, with other, very interesting rifles to play with, including another Low Wall, converted to a Hornet years back. I had that one re-barreled to 28-30 Stevens and made with a false muzzle.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 153 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 153 Likes: 1 |
I have an original antique Low Wall that we discussed here some time ago. Started as a .32 rimfire, a rusty junker. A guy I worked with bought it, put in a CF block and re-barreled it to .32-40. He fired what he said were a few Winchester "John Wayne" cartridges. Another friend thought they were handloads, but overloaded with 4227. In any event, the action failed, cracking on both sides at the rear of the breech block slot. The guy sold it to person #2 as junk.
Person #2 had the action repaired by some expert welding, quite a good job. The action was completely refinished in french grey and was engraved by Ken Hurst. That completely hides the welds. Person #2 then put a Green Mountain .25-20 WCF barrel on the action, rust blued the barrel and other parts, fitted good sights. #2 is an excellent woodworker. He made a stock of light colored walnut with a beautiful figure. The rifle is a thing of beauty.
But the rifle was terribly inaccurate, simply would not shoot well. #2 consigned it to a shop, but with a folder attached showing photos of the rebuilding, including before & after pics of the cracked & welded action.
I purchased the rifle, even though I knew all the details. On inspection, the barrel was a reject, should have never left the shop. About 6 inches of tool chatter marks in one groove.
I had made arrangements with Joe Harr to convert the action to rimfire and put a .22 LR liner in the barrel. We were going to trade breech blocks. The rifle was ready to ship when Joe died.
It went back into the safe. Now I'm 80, with other, very interesting rifles to play with, including another Low Wall, converted to a Hornet years back. I had that one re-barreled to 28-30 Stevens and made with a false muzzle.
A very interesting story - so many twists and turns. Thanks for posting. I'm surprised so much work would go into the welding and engraving when finding a no-problem low wall rifle is not an expensive prospect. However, I am aware sometimes there is the strong appeal of rescuing something that is on hand.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 284 Likes: 25
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 284 Likes: 25 |
I suppose I could add to this discussion. I have a high wall that has been fitted with a short, light barrel in .30-40 Krag obviously set up for hunting. The interesting thing about it is that it has a one piece stock by Farr. There is information on Farr in Landis. He describes that for the woodchuck hunters matches of the late 30s early 40s he figured the only way a single shot could compete with the bolt actions was if it had a one piece stock. He goes on to tell of his unusual bedding system where the recoil is taken up by a dovetailed block which carries a barrel band and is inlet into the forearm. The action itself floats free except that the shortened upper tang has one screw into the stock. The lower tang is cut off at the trigger. It carries a Lyman 1a peep on a shortened tang base. Sounds weird but it works. Once I had found the cast bullet load for it, a less than MOA group at 100 yards resulted.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,258 Likes: 74
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,258 Likes: 74 |
..... The action itself floats free except that the shortened upper tang has one screw into the stock. The lower tang is cut off at the trigger. .... Now there is a twist, floating action instead of floating barrel. Please post a picture of your unique rifle I know many would like to see is. We can help with picture posting if needed.
Last edited by LRF; 07/13/20 03:36 PM.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,258 Likes: 74
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,258 Likes: 74 |
I have an original antique Low Wall that we discussed here some time ago. Started as a .32 rimfire, a rusty junker. A guy I worked with bought it, put in a CF block and re-barreled it to .32-40. He fired what he said were a few Winchester "John Wayne" cartridges. Another friend thought they were handloads, but overloaded with 4227. In any event, the action failed, cracking on both sides at the rear of the breech block slot. The guy sold it to person #2 as junk.
Person #2 had the action repaired by some expert welding, quite a good job. The action was completely refinished in french grey and was engraved by Ken Hurst. That completely hides the welds. Person #2 then put a Green Mountain .25-20 WCF barrel on the action, rust blued the barrel and other parts, fitted good sights. #2 is an excellent woodworker. He made a stock of light colored walnut with a beautiful figure. The rifle is a thing of beauty.
But the rifle was terribly inaccurate, simply would not shoot well. #2 consigned it to a shop, but with a folder attached showing photos of the rebuilding, including before & after pics of the cracked & welded action.
I purchased the rifle, even though I knew all the details. On inspection, the barrel was a reject, should have never left the shop. About 6 inches of tool chatter marks in one groove.
I had made arrangements with Joe Harr to convert the action to rimfire and put a .22 LR liner in the barrel. We were going to trade breech blocks. The rifle was ready to ship when Joe died.
It went back into the safe. Now I'm 80, with other, very interesting rifles to play with, including another Low Wall, converted to a Hornet years back. I had that one re-barreled to 28-30 Stevens and made with a false muzzle.
A very interesting story - so many twists and turns. Thanks for posting. I'm surprised so much work would go into the welding and engraving when finding a no-problem low wall rifle is not an expensive prospect. However, I am aware sometimes there is the strong appeal of rescuing something that is on hand. Waterman, please post a picture of the rifle you have. We would like to see it. (If you don't know how to post pictures then let me or PhysDoc know and we can do it for you. Just send a PM)
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,703 Likes: 406
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,703 Likes: 406 |
I hope it shot a lot better that 1 MOA after all that trouble. 2-piece stocked 1885s do that with regularity.
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 284 Likes: 25
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 284 Likes: 25 |
I'm sure his woodchuck/target rifles did with their heavy barrels and full power loads in 219 Donaldson or 30-30 Improved or one of Farr's wildcats. I only shoot cast bullets at targets and, actually, many modern hunting rifles are pressed to do 1 MOA maybe especially in 30-40.
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